East Finnish culture and language are chiefly vested in the Savonians and the Karelians. It's distinguished by considerably less of influence from Scandinavian and Finland-Swedish culture and language.
East Finnish culture is generally thought of as closer to the true and original roots of Finnish culture, as the Kalevala.
Migrants of the last half millennium to central and northern Scandinavia and to Ingria were mainly of East Finnish origin, which is why dialects and languages such as Meänkieli and Ingrian are closer to the East Finnish dialects.
